How to Grow Roots From Plant Cuttings

You've taken plant cuttings from some of your most beloved garden plants and now you want to root them so that you can have more plants without having to spend a lot of money to get them. Some people root cuttings, also known as "slips," in sand or gravel, but one tried and true method for propagating plants is to place them in water. While not all plants root well in water, several of the more popular varieties such as geraniums, coleus and spider plants are easy to establish.

Things You'll Need

• Drinking glass
• Water
• Sunlight
• Compost
• Sand
• Soil
• Decorative garden pot

Instructions

1. Fill your drinking glass two-thirds full with water. This amount of water is enough to allow for root formation, but not so much that your plant is hanging out the side of the glass while getting established.

2. Place your glass in an area that gets a lot of indirect sunlight. Direct sun can result in the roots getting too hot and lack of sun can result in failure to thrive.

3. Wait for the roots to begin forming on your plant. You will see small roots within a week or so and then you should have a 2- to 3-inch root bulb within three weeks.

4. Mix equal parts of compost, sand and garden soil in order to formulate a potting mix perfect for nourishing your new little plant.

5. Spoon two spoonfuls of potting mix into the glass with your seedling each day until it is planted in a glass of potting mix instead of a glass of water. Allow it to establish itself for roughly three weeks and then transplant it more permanently into your decorative garden pot.

References

• Propagating Plants
• Rooting Plants
• Plant Propagation Made Simple